Battery Cells Toyota Prius 05-09 on 2040-parts.com

Augmented reality application streamlines home car maintenance

The basic home motor-oil swap is about to get a lot more futuristic -- at least if the augmented reality application being developed by AR-media goes anywhere. AR-media's app uses a tablet's camera to position guides and instructions over a car's engine bay in real time. It sounds complicated, but it appears to be relatively seamless in action.

Rolls-Royce-infused Mini debuts at Pebble Beach

Mini is debuting a 2012 special-edition Cooper hardtop infused with Rolls-Royce design at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this week in California. The limited-run Mini Inspired by Goodwood will be set up alongside the Mini Cooper coupe two-seater--first revealed at the Geneva motor show--making its U.S. debut.

Webinars: Perceived Quality in the Digital Design World

Car Design News hosted a new webinar with Icona Solutions yesterday, June 8th. Focusing on perceived quality in the digital design world, Icona Solutions' Dr John Maxfield explained how the company's aesthetica software – which enables design teams to gain early insight and resolve fit and finish issues – can improve perceived quality and craftsmanship. Hosted by Dr John Maxfield, Technical Director and Founder of Icona Solutions Ltd, the webinar demonstrates how aesthetica helps designers produce realistic images of real world products, including materials / color / finishes, with targets to allow early perceived quality reviews.